Breaking News
On Air Paul Topping's Hit Mix 10:00AM to 2:00PM The Isle of Wight in Real Time
Listen Live Listen Online Follow us
Follow Isle of Wight Radio on Facebook Follow Isle of Wight Radio on Twitter
Current Weather
Partly Cloudy
NNE 11mph
11 mph
Partly Cloudy
11°C

Duke Presents Volunteering Awards

Listen to: Duke Presents Volunteering Awards
Loading audio
Duke Presents Volunteering Awards
By Chris Browning Tue, 03 July 2012 2:50PM

The work of volunteers at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway and Shanklin Theatre has been celebrated today (Tuesday).

His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester presented the groups with Queens Awards for Voluntary Service.

The awards recognise the work of people doing volunteering work that is a social, economic or environmental service to the local community.

130 organisations across the country have received a trophy and a certificate this year.

Volunteer co-ordinator for the Friends of Shanklin Theatre Louise Bond told Isle of Wight Radio that collecting the award from the Duke was 'nerve-wracking but lovely'.

'He asked me where it [the award] is going to go and I said my office', she laughed.

'We'll have to find a special place for it to share it with everyone'.

Chairman of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway Steve Oates described the award as 'phenomenal'.

'We have over three-hundred volunteers currently, let alone all of those people who over the last 45 years have given up a huge amount of their time to make the railway possible.

'It's terrific for us'.

Locomotive driver Tony French has been at the railway for 44 years.

'I realised my childhood ambition of becoming a train driver, it's every little boy's dream and that's what I've done', he told Isle of Wight Radio.

'Overall it's a team effort. We have lots of people involved - all ages and all sexes.

'Everybody gives up their spare time and we're here representing all of those people and their hard work'.

Leave a comment..

Submit your event

Latest News Bulletin

Loading audio

Similar Stories

Latest Hourly News Bulletin

Loading audio

More Local News

Red Jet and yacht collide

Red Jet and yacht collide

A Red Jet and a yacht collided this afternoon (Friday) as the high-speed vessel was leaving Cowes for Southampton.
Council to hear child protection and education update

Council to hear child protection and education update

Raising the standards of child protection and education will be a top priority for the new-look Isle of Wight Council.
Volunteers to help tackle speeding motorists

Volunteers to help tackle speeding motorists

Speeding motorists are being educated about the dangers of their actions by volunteers taking part in a police scheme on the Isle of Wight.
170 Years Of Pirates And Play At Blackgang Chine

170 Years Of Pirates And Play At Blackgang Chine

The Isle of Wight’s oldest theme park is celebrating its 170th anniversary this bank holiday weekend.
Vases Not Balloons At Queen Victoria's Birthday Bash

Vases Not Balloons At Queen Victoria's Birthday Bash

Staff at Osborne House are celebrating what would have been the birthday of Queen Victoria.
Registrar service to move for festival

Registrar service to move for festival

The Island's registrar service will move temporarily due to the Isle of Wight Festival.
New charity aims to support mental health service users on the Isle of Wight

New charity aims to support mental health service users on the Isle of Wight

Helping to support mental health service users is the aim of a newly established charity on the Isle of Wight.
Open verdict on Compton Cliff death

Open verdict on Compton Cliff death

An open verdict has been recorded by Coroner Caroline Sumeray at the inquest into the death of a Dorset woman.
Top awards for Isle of Wight tourist attractions

Top awards for Isle of Wight tourist attractions

Two Isle of Wight tourist attractions are celebrating after being given a prestigious award from travel website TripAdvisor.
Distinctive dragon stolen from Isle of Wight garden

Distinctive dragon stolen from Isle of Wight garden

At least two people would have been needed to move an ornamental dragon that has been stolen from an Isle of Wight property, according to police.

National News

Woolwich: Help For Heroes Raises £100,000

Woolwich: Help For Heroes Raises £100,000

Sat, 25 May 2013 10:11AM
Gas Cylinder Blast On School Bus Kills 17

Gas Cylinder Blast On School Bus Kills 17

Sat, 25 May 2013 5:57AM
Toronto Mayor Denies Smoking Crack Cocaine

Toronto Mayor Denies Smoking Crack Cocaine

Sat, 25 May 2013 5:06AM
Key Government Projects 'At Risk Of Failure'

Key Government Projects 'At Risk Of Failure'

Sat, 25 May 2013 3:40AM
YouTube Users Turning Clicks Into Cash

YouTube Users Turning Clicks Into Cash

Sat, 25 May 2013 3:24AM
Russia: Gay Rights Activists To Defy Rally Ban

Russia: Gay Rights Activists To Defy Rally Ban

Sat, 25 May 2013 3:11AM
Tornado: Shattered Community's Message Of Hope

Tornado: Shattered Community's Message Of Hope

Sat, 25 May 2013 2:53AM
New Test For Bladder Cancer May Save Lives

New Test For Bladder Cancer May Save Lives

Sat, 25 May 2013 2:34AM
Two Arrested After 'Gun Threat' At Hospital

Two Arrested After 'Gun Threat' At Hospital

Sat, 25 May 2013 1:44AM
Man Held In Met Police Terror Investigation

Man Held In Met Police Terror Investigation

Sat, 25 May 2013 12:55AM